13 December 2011

birthday number 41

I never took the forty paper stars down from last year, you know. just couldn't ever bring myself to do it. so look what I found hanging from the ceiling sunday morning. a sweet little addition, compliments of the husband.

and look what I found on my desk. a mess of fresh cut paper snowflakes, compliments of ezra.

cargo, where I filled my basket with metallic paper party hats and neon balloon horns and mustache straws. well, and then I put it all back, since we are saving our pennies and all. though not before I tried out a few of those balloon horns AND LET ME TELL YOU THOSE THINGS WERE LOUD. I did not know they would be so loud. this made ava laugh. and pretend not to know me.

after cargo and just before dinner, the photobooth! naturally.

money well spent, kids. money well spent.

alas, my birthday restaurant of choice was closed so we opted for takeout. boo, birthday restaurant of choice. boo.

BUT. a chinese takeout floor picnic? next to a crackly fire in the fireplace? with fizzy raspberry lemonades and paper straws? better than any dinner in any restaurant, any day or night of the week. sorry, birthday restaurant of choice. it's true. I still love you, but it's true.

and then, a question. do I like being 41? yes, I think maybe I do. for the most part. but not more than your fancy loopy letter Ys and your gold paper snowflakes, ezra. I'd take those over 41 anyday.

hey, how about the cake. the red velvet cake, which I sort of botched this year. something went wrong with the frosting, I don't know. and then all those candles nearly melted the cake, nearly reduced it to a pile of goo. but whatever. I earned those candles, every last one of them. I refuse to skimp on candles. you shouldn't either.

after cake came presents-- the vintage kind, the handmade kind. win win. win win win all over the place.

Happy Birthday! A red velvet is never botched if it's still edible. I made myself red velvet cupcakes last year, inspired by you and memories of large, multi-layer cakes mom used to make for dad every year... it's a tradition worth continuing. = )

so many warm wishes being sent your way... the creativity, love and sweetness of your family is a beautiful, palpable thing. thank you for sharing it:-)all the best for this year and peace peace peace for your heart.

Yay, that's awesome! I'm glad you never took down the paper stars from last year because THOSE were THE best birthday surprise ever! I loved them! So it's nice you had an updated version this year. What a lovely day!!

the photos are magical. like your sweet family! and ezra's cute note made smile so much. i love the little labeled family members drawn in the corner.sending mad love at you, lady. thinking of you so much and wishing you so much strength and a wide open heart.xo

Oh those images make for a lovely day! You have a wonderful family. I especially love Ezra's pile of snow flakes. And I would totally leave those stars on the ceiling too, I am so happy you were able to make it back home for the holiday.oxooxox